Clasp for connecting timbers



(NoModeL) y H. A A-LISBURY.

CLASP FOR CONNECTING TIMBERS.

No. 448,082. A Patented Mar. 10, l89l.

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HAROLD ARTHUR SALISBURY, OF V INSON, OREGON.

CLASP FOR CONNECTING TllVlBERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,082, dated March 10, 1891.

Application filed May 20, 1890. Serial No. 352,545. (No model.)

To (0Z6 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD ARTHUR SAL- IsBURY, of Vinson,in the county of Umatilla and State of Oregon,haveinvented a new and Improved Clasp for Connecting Timbers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improvement in clasps especially adapted for use in connection with wagon-racks, or where two or more timbers running at an angle to other timbers and parallel with each other are to be spliced or connected.

The object of the invention is to provide a clasp simple and durable in construction, whereby timber may be joined or connected in a convenient and expeditious manner without mortising or otherwise disturbing the wood in a manner calculated to weaken it.

The invention consists in the novel con struction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures and letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wagonrack, illustrating the application of the invention thereto. Fig. 2 illustrates the application of the device to a wagon-rack for the purpose of securing the seat thereto. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the clasp, and Fig. at is a perspective view of a clasp which can be employed for securing a ladder or side extensions to a wagon-rack.

The clasp consists of two spaced perpendicular side bars 10, from the top and bottom of each of which side bars an arm 11 is horizontally projected, the opposed upper and lower arms being parallel and of the same length; and each set of upper and lower arms is connected by a cross-bar 12, whereby an upper horizontal stirrupA and an aligning lower stirrup A is formed. From the side bars 10 below the stirrup A projects the vertical stirrup B, forming a portion of the under face of the lower horizontal stirrup A, the side the upper and lower horizontal stirrups A and A. The lower horizontal stirrup is preferably provided with a plate or solid section 13, which section extends preferably from the inner end of the stirrup within a short distance of the front, leaving thereby an essentially rectangular opening 14; and in the solid or table section 13 of the stirrup A, if found desirable, a pin-aperture 15 is produced near the central portion of its rear end.

In constructing a wagon-rack, for instance, as illustrated in Fig. 1, four of the devices of the form shown in Fig. 3 are preferably employed, one being adapted for location at each corner of the rack, and the open end of the upper stirrups A is made to face inward. The extremities of the sills or side beams or timbers 16 are passed through the lowerperpendicular stirrups B and beneath the table section of the lower horizontal stirrup A, and the extremities of the cross-bars or bed-timbers 17 are made to extend through the space intervening the upper and lower horizontal stirrups in contact with the table section 13 of the lower stirrup and beyond the outer side of said stirrup.

The cross-beams and sills are held or bound in place by means of vertical stakes 18, which stakes are passed downward through the upper stirrups in contact with the outer faces of the cross bars orbeams 17, through the opening 14: of the lower horizontal stirrup, and down to a frictional contact with the outer projecting ends of the sills 16.

If more than one sill or more than one crossbeam is employed in the construction of one or both sides or ends of the rack, stirrups may be added to accommodate the additional timbers.

In order to prevent any possible lateral movement of the sill 16, a pin or equivalent fastening device may be passed down through the apertures 15 of the table and intosaid sills, but the addition of such a pin is not absolutely necessary.

If it is desired to place extensions upon the side sills*for the purpose of supporting hay, for instancethe said extensions,which are in the shape of angular knee-stakes 19, may be bars of the vertical stirrup Bbeingpreferably secured by the clasp shown in Fig. 4. In apa continuation of the connecting-bars 10 of plying the extension the stirrups are made to project outward, one over and the other boneath the sill, and the vertical members of the stakes are passed downward through both stirrups in contact with the outer faces of the sills. The knee-stakes may be provided with braces 20, if so desired, inwhich event the inner ends of the braces are made to contact with the vertical members of the stakes between the stirrups, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

A ladder 21 may be attached to one or to both'of the cross-beams 17 through the medium of the clasp illustrated in Fig.4, and the lower ends of the side of the ladder are passed through the clasp in the same manner as described in connection with the kneestakes 19; but it may be and is desirable to secure those sections of the ladder interveni ng the stirrups of the clasp to the crossbeams by means of screws or equivalent devices.

In Fig. 2 the angular knee-stakes 22 are illustrated as clipped to a portion of the rack, the said knee-stakes 22 being adapted to support a seat 23.

Having thus described Y my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A clasp of the character described, consisting of upper and lower-parallel horizontal stirrups and a single vertical stirrup located beneath the lower horizontal stirrup, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. A clasp of the character described, consisting of upper and lower horizontal spaced stirrups connected at their rear ends, the upper stirrup being open at the said rear end and the, lower stirrup provided with a table partially closing the same, and a vertical stirrup projected downward from the rear under portion of the lower horizontal stirrup, as and for the purpose specified.

HAROLD ARTHUR SALTS BURY.

Witnesses:

Gno. P. ROSENBERG, G. F. JOHNSON. 

